Eastman-Kodak Company

Calvin E Abplanalp

Michael J O'Brien

Richard A Colleluori

A high stability ball-in-cone type latch mechanism is taught that is particularly useful for large deployable optical systems. It provides a nearly perfect kinematic mount between structural or optical elements and can easily be remotely controlled. The latching device comprises a latch core; at least one coupler link having a pawl at a first end thereof and a cam follower at a second end thereof, the at least one coupler link pivotally connected to follower link, the follower link being pivotally connected to the latch core; a bearing housing affixed to the latch core; a spherical bearing residing in the bearing housing, the spherical bearing having a ball stem extending therefrom through the bearing housing; a lead screw connected to the ball stem; a drive cam threadably engaged on the lead screw, the cam follower engaging the drive cam; and a motor to drive rotation of the lead screw to control travel of the cam on the lead screw thereby causing the at least one coupler link to move from an open position to a clamping position.

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Fairport, NY, United States of America

Calvin E Abplanalp